5 Weekend Musts: Music and Art at Sturbridge + More

Bring your dad to Old Sturbridge Village for the Music and Art Weekend--he gets in free! Photo: John Ferrarone.

As June is kicking into full swing, it’s finally summertime and the living is easier than ever with an all-ages music festival benefit, spectacular fireworks, and plenty of other ways to have a great time this weekend!

Music and Art Weekend, Sturbridge

Saturday-Sunday Discover the popular music and art of 19th-century New England at Old Sturbridge Village, where artists and performers of all kinds will come together at this living history museum to present songs, dances, and stories from the 1830s. Visitors can listen to performances of African American spirituals, explore collections of antique musical instruments, watch art demonstrations such as theorem painting, or experience history for themselves by marbling paper and learning how to perform some of the common dances from the era. Dads get free admission on Father’s Day, June 16 along with a free pottery flask made in the Village! 9:30am-5pm. Saturday and Sunday. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. Tickets $24 adults, $22 seniors 65 and over, $18 youths 3-17, under age 3 free. Click here for more details.

SPIT-IT Youth Producers Film Screening, Worcester

Friday Clark University will be hosting a free premiere screening of films produced by high school students through SPIT-IT (Storytelling Project Incorporating Technology for Ideological Transformation), an after school program that offers young Worcester students an opportunity to create their own documentaries. Their films offer critical analyses of difficult social issues ranging from youth homelessness to refugees in Worcester. The screenings will be followed by a group panel, in which the students will discuss their experience of producing their own films. 6:30-8:30pm. Clark University, 218 Jefferson Building, 950 Main St. Check out more information here.

New England Rose Show, Boylston

The New England Rose Show offers the best roses in the region for your viewing pleasure, in an incomparable location. Photo: Michael Arnum/flickr.

Sunday In this special one-day exhibit held at the beautiful, lush setting of a botanical garden, the New England Rose Society will be holding its annual summer show of roses. This year’s presentation will include an enormous range of rose varieties, from tall and elegant Grandifloras to sweet and delicate Miniatures. Those interested may visit “The Rose Doctor” for advice on growing roses, or attend an illustrated lecture by expert rosarian Marci Martin at 1pm. Bring your loved ones to explore the gardens and revel in the fragrance and beauty of the exquisite roses on display! 12-4:30pm. Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive. Cost included with admission, $12 adult, $9 senior, $7 child, under age 6 free. for more information click here.

Starburst 2013, Leominster

Saturday The 4th of July might be a few weeks away, but it’s never too early to catch a remarkable summer fireworks show! Leominster’s Starburst 2013 boasts an array of free, fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, starting with an arts & crafts booth for kids and culminating with an incredible fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by musical performances from the Leominster All City Youth Concert Band, Leominster Elementary Choruses, Leominster High School Jazz Band, International Veterans Chorus, and the Starburst Concert Band, along with comedy and magic performed by Eddie Raymond. A presentation of “Citizens of the Year” awards will follow.
4:30-10pm. Doyle Field, Priest St. Rain date Sunday, June 16th. For more info, email.

Central Mass is Boston Strong, Templeton

Saturday What better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than by catching musical performances from some seriously talented artists, all while contributing to a good cause? All ages are welcome at the Central Mass is Boston Strong all-day music festival, which benefits The One Fund, created to assist victims of the Boston Marathon, as well as their families. The festival will feature several comedians in addition to music groups including local Central MA cover group Go Gadget Go. Pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs will be sold for the whole family to enjoy. For kids, there will be face painting, tarot readings, and palm readings. 11am-12am. Otter River Sportsmans Club, 250 Lord Rd. Admission $7 adult, $3 children, age 2 and under free. Click here for details.